Adoption of proposed regulation on conflict minerals

The European Parliament's plenary session formally endorsed on 16 March 2017 a draft proposal establishing a system for supply chain self-certification of responsible importers of minerals originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas.

The draft regulation on conflict minerals aims to prevent the minerals trade from funding conflict and human rights violations. It obliges all but the smallest EU importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum, gold to do 'due diligence' checks on their suppliers, and big manufacturers also need to disclose how they plan to monitor their sources to comply with the rules.

The original proposal was published by the Europen Commission in March 2014. An informal agreement on a compromise text between the Parliament and the Council of the European Union was reached in November 2016.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Conflict minerals http://www.europeansources.info/record/conflict-minerals/

EurActiv, 16.03.17: Parliament adopts binding law on conflict minerals http://www.euractiv.com/section/development-policy/news/parliament-adopts-binding-law-on-conflict-minerals/

European Commission: DG Communication: IP/17/622, 16.03.17: Commissioner Malmström welcomes Parliament's approval to stop trade in minerals financing armed conflicts http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-622_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 16.03.17: EU Parliament for tighter rules on conflict minerals http://dw.com/p/2ZKR4

European Parliament: Press Release, 21.03.17: Conflict minerals: the bloody truth behind your smartphone http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170314STO66681/

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